My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone,

is

knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the

out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in

must sing the

must close her eyes and

must blow out the

Julian that there was

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,”

to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty,

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to

to say thank you!” their

paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the

smiled for the first time in days. Thank

apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right

worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well

her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm

and headed

inside her apartment and about to

propped open

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

out on

slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying

been getting along

two steps back. Why are

he pulled off his necktie and threw

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

approached her,

Rachel had no idea what she

her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way